Methods for treating or identifying a subject at risk for a neurological disease by determining the presence of a variant GPIIIa and/or variant GPIIb allele

ABSTRACT

The invention provides methods for treating or identifying subjects having a neurological disease or at risk for a neurological disease by determining the presence of a variant GPIIIa and/or GPIIb allele.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application is a divisional of and claims priority from U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/409,648, filed Oct. 1, 1999 which claims priority from U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/102,624, filed Oct. 1, 1998.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] In general, the invention relates to methods for treating a neurological disease.

[0003] Neurological diseases, for example, Alzheimer's disease, are often difficult to diagnose and occur in the population in a manner which is difficult to predict. A method 1 that would allow one to identify subjects having a neurological disease, or being at risk for developing a neurological disease, would allow for the more timely administration of an appropriate therapy.

[0004] The GPIIIa gene encodes a 788 amino acid polypeptide with a 26-residue signal peptide, a 29-residue transmembrane domain near the carboxy terminus, and four cysteine-rich domains of 33-38 residues each (Zimrin et al., J. Clin. Invest. 81:1470-1475 (1988)). Two different antigenic forms of GPIIIa, alloantigens PlA1 and PlA2 (for Platelet Antigen 1 and 2), have been described and can be distinguished using a monoclonal antibody (Weiss et al., Tissue Antigens 46:374-381 (1995)). The most predominant form of GPIIIa, PlA2, is carried by 98% of the Caucasian population. The rarer form of GPIIIa, PlA2, has sustained a point mutation at base 192 that causes a nucleotide change from a T to a C and thus a leucine to proline (CTG>CCG) amino acid substitution at residue position 33 (Newman et al., J. Clin. Invest. 83:1778-1781 (1989)).

[0005] The GPIIb polypeptide is the larger component of the GPIIIa/GPIIb complex and comprises two disulfide-linked subunits of 137 amino acids and 871 amino acids each. The larger GPIIb polypeptide has a 26 amino acid signal sequence, a potential transmembrane domain, and four stretches of 12 amino acids each that are homologous to the calcium binding sites of calmodulin and troponin C (Poncz et al., J. Biol. Chem. 262(18):8476-8482 (1987)). Mutational analysis of these domains has indicated that these calcium-binding domains are required for the correct folding and transport of the GPIIb polypeptide to the cell surface (Basani et al., Blood 88:167-173 (1996)). Two antigenic forms of GPIIb, Bak^(a) and Bak^(b), have been described and can be distinguished using specific antisera. The less common form of GPIIb (i.e., Bak^(b)) was determined to have a T to G point mutation that results in an isoleucine to serine substitution at amino acid position 843 (Lyman et al., Blood 75:2343-2348 (1990)).

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] The present invention provides methods for identifying or treating a subject at risk for, or diagnosed with, a neurological disease.

[0007] In the first aspect, the invention provides a method for identifying a subject at risk for a neurological disease by: identifying the subject; determining the genotype or phenotype of the GPIIIa or GPIIb locus of the subject; and determining the presence of a variant GPIIIa or a variant GPIIb allele or isoform, where the presence of the variant GPIIIa allele or isoform or the variant GPIIb allele or isoform is indicative of the subject having an increased risk of the neurological disease. Preferably, the neurological disease is Alzheimer's Disease (AD).

[0008] In the second aspect, the invention provides a method for diagnosing a subject with a neurological disease by: identifying the subject; determining the genotype or phenotype of the GPIIIa or GPIIb locus of the subject; and determining the presence of a variant GPIIIa or a variant GPIIb allele or isoform, where the presence of the variant GPIIIa allele or isoform or the variant GPIIb allele or isoform is indicative of the subject having a likelihood of the neurological disease.

[0009] In the third aspect, the invention provides a method for characterizing the genotype of at least one subject involved in a clinical trial of a therapy for the treatment of a neurological disease by: identifying the subject; determining the genotype or phenotype of the GPIIIa or GPIIb locus of the subject before, during, or after the clinical trial; and determining the presence of a variant GPIIIa or a variant GPIIb allele or isoform, where the presence of the variant GPIIIa allele or isoform or the variant GPIIb allele or isoform places the subject into a subgroup for the clinical trial. Preferably, the genotype or phenotype is indexed against the efficacy or side-effects of the therapy.

[0010] In the fourth aspect, the invention provides a method for treating a subject with a neurological disease by: identifying the subject; determining the genotype or phenotype of the GPIIIa or GPIIb locus of the subject; determining the presence of a variant GPIIIa or a variant GPIIb allele or isoform; and determining the preferred therapy for the treatment of the neurological disease.

[0011] In the fifth aspect, the invention provides a method for treating a subject at risk for a neurological disease by: identifying the subject; determining the genotype or phenotype of the GPIIIa or GPIIb locus of the subject; determining the presence of a variant GPIIIa or a variant GPIIb allele or isoform; determining the GPIIIa or GPIIb allele status of the subject, where the allele status is predictive of patient outcome or drug efficacy.

[0012] In a preferred embodiment of the above aspects, the method includes determining the presence of both the variant GPIIIa allele or isoform and the variant GPIIb allele or isoform.

[0013] In other preferred embodiments of the above aspects, the neurological disease may be Alzheimer's disease (AD), a non-AD neurological disease, or a neurological disease selected from the group consisting of Alzheimer's disease, neurofibromatosis, Huntington's disease, depression, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, multiple sclerosis, stroke, Parkinson's disease, and multi-infarct dementia.

[0014] In other preferred embodiments of the above aspects, the determining may be performed using a nucleic acid that specifically binds a nucleic acid encoded by the variant GPIIIa allele or the variant GPIIb allele. In other preferred embodiments of the above aspects, the determining may be performed using an antibody that specifically binds a polypeptide encoded by the variant GPIIIa allele or the variant GPIIb allele, but does not bind a polypeptide encoded by a wild-type GPIIIa allele or a wild-type GPIIb allele.

[0015] In other preferred embodiments of the above aspects, the variant GPIIIa allele may have a point mutation at nucleotide base 192 of SEQ ID NO: 2 or encode a polypeptide with a proline at amino acid position 33 of SEQ ID NO: 4. In other preferred embodiments of the above aspects, the variant GPIIb allele may have a point mutation at nucleotide base 2622 of SEQ ID NO: 6 or encode a polypeptide with a serine at amino acid position 843 of SEQ ID NO: 8.

[0016] The presence of a variant allele may be determined by genotyping nucleic acids from the subject or by assaying for the presence of a protein having alterations encoded by the variant nucleic acid.

[0017] By “neurological disease” is meant a disease, which involves the neuronal cells of the nervous system. Specifically included are: prion diseases (e.g, Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease); pathologies of the developing brain (e.g., congenital defects in amino acid metabolism, such as argininosuccinicaciduria, cystathioninuria, histidinemia, homocystinuria, hyperammonemia, phenylketonuria, tyrosinemia, and fragile X syndrome); pathologies of the mature brain (e.g., neurofibromatosis, Huntington's disease, depression, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, multiple sclerosis); conditions that strike in adulthood (e.g. Alzheimer's disease, Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, Lewy body disease, Parkinson's disease, Pick's disease); and other pathologies of the brain (e.g., brain mishaps, brain injury, coma, infections by various agents, dietary deficiencies, stroke, multiple infarct dementia, and cardiovascular accidents).

[0018] By “cognitive enhancers” is meant drugs which enhance a) memory performance, whether it is verbal memory, spatial memory, or factual memory and b) learning capacity.

[0019] By “cholinomimetic therapy” is meant any drug that mimics the function of acetylcholine or enhances the activity of acetylcholine synthesizing cells. These drugs include, but are not limited to, inhibitors of acetylcholine degradation (acetylcholine esterase inhibitors such as tacrine), drugs that mimic acetylcholine structure and function, drugs that block acetylcholine uptake by neurons, and drugs that interact with pre-synaptic receptors to induce acetylcholine release from cholinergic neurons.

[0020] By “non-cholinomimetic vasopressinergic therapy” is meant a therapy that utilizes a vasopressinergic modulator such as, for example, S12024 (provided by Servier, Les Laboratoires Servier, 22 rue Garnier, 92200 Neuilly sur Seine, France).

[0021] By “already diagnosed” is meant already diagnosed as having the neurological disease, having a genetic predisposition to the disease, or both.

[0022] By “patient profile” is meant data pertaining to the patient for whom the pharmacogenetic analysis is being performed. Data may include information on the patient's diagnosis, age, sex, and genotype. The patient's profile may also include materials from the patient such as blood or purified RNA or DNA.

[0023] By “prognosis protocol” is meant a therapy plan provided to the clinician or patient using the pharmacogenetic method. The prognosis protocol includes an indication of whether or not the patient is likely to respond positively to a cholinomimetic therapeutic. In preferred embodiments, the protocol also includes an indication of the drug dose to which the patient is most likely to respond. The “pharmacogenetic method” is a method whereby genetic and diagnostic data, including the patient's neurological diagnosis and the patient's GPIIIa and/or GPIIb genotype are processed to provide therapeutic options and prognoses.

[0024] By “non-AD neurological disease” is meant a disease other than Alzheimer's disease, which involves the neuronal cells of the nervous system. Specifically included are: prion diseases (e.g, Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease); pathologies of the developing brain (e.g., congenital defects in amino acid metabolism, such as argininosuccinicaciduria, cystathioninuria, histidinemia, homocystinuria, hyperammonemia, phenylketonuria, tyrosinemia, and fragile X syndrome); pathologies of the mature brain (e.g., neurofibromatosis, Huntington's disease, depression, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, multiple sclerosis); conditions that strike in adulthood (e.g. Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, Lewy body disease, Parkinson's disease, Pick's disease); and other pathologies of the brain (e.g., brain mishaps, brain injury, coma, infections by various agents, dietary deficiencies, stroke, multi-infarct dementia, and cardiovascular accidents).

[0025] By “Alzheimer's Disease” is meant a pathology characterized by an early and extensive loss of entorhinal cortex neurons. Alzheimer's disease subjects may be identified by progressive and degenerative effects on the brain which are not attributable to other causes. A diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease is made using clinical-neuropathological correlations known in the art (see e.g., Arch. Neurology 51(9):888-896 (1994)). Post-mortem, the disease may be diagnosed by the presence of amyloid plaques and fibrils.

[0026] As used herein, by “therapy for the treatment of a neurological disease” is meant any therapy suitable for treating a neurological disease. A suitable therapy can be a pharmacological agent or drug that may enhance or slow the loss of cognitive function, motor function, or neuronal activity of the central nervous system, peripheral nervous system, or inhibit the further deterioration of any of these faculties. In addition, the term therapy may also include the close monitoring of an asymptomatic patient for the appearance of any symptoms of a neurological disease.

[0027] By “determining the presence of a variant GPIIIa and/or variant GPIIb allele” is meant subjecting a nucleic acid sample to any of a variety of detection techniques know in the art for elucidating a point mutation in a nucleic acid (e.g., polymerase chain reaction (PCR), reverse transcriptase-PCR (RT-PCR), ligase-mediated chain reaction step, chip hybridization methods, or restriction enzyme-mediated digestion). For example, in the presence of appropriately designed primers, a nucleic acid fragment can be amplified using PCR and analyzed by restriction enzyme digestion that can reveal the presence of a variant allelic sequence. In addition, DNA sequencing may be employed using techniques known in the art. These nucleic acid techniques allow for a genotype determination of the GPIIIa or GPIIb locus. Alternatively, phenotyping of the locus may be performed (and a genotype thus inferred) by using standard techniques for detecting the presence of a polypeptide having a particular amino acid change (e.g., antibodies, isoelectric focusing, and 2-D PAGE). For example, the presence of a variant GPIIIa polypeptide (e.g., PlA2; LEU33PRO) can be distinguished from a wild-type GPIIIa polypeptide (i.e., PlA1) using epitope specific antibodies available in the art (Weiss et al., Tissue Antigens 46:374-381 (1995)). Antibodies for detecting different polymorphisms of the GPIIb polypeptide have also been described (Lyman et al., Blood 75:2343-2348 (1990)).

[0028] By “variant GPIIIa allele” is meant any sequence mutation of the glycoprotein integrin beta-3 subunit (GPIIIa) gene, that differs from the predominant wild-type allelic sequence (e.g., variant GPIIIa allele (LEU33PRO)) and which is associated with neurological disease. By “associated” is meant associated with an altered risk of disease incidence, drug efficacy, or disease prognosis. Variant GPIIIa alleles not specifically described to be associated with neurological disease herein can be tested for association using the techniques provided herein and those known in the art. Specifically excluded are GPIIIa variants that have an A>C mutation at nucleotide base 1159, and A>G mutation at nucleotide base 1549, or a G>C mutation at nucleotide base 1161.

[0029] By “variant GPIIb allele” is meant any sequence mutation of the glycoprotein integrin alpha-2 subunit (GPIIb) gene that differs from the predominant wild-type allelic sequence (e.g., variant GPIIb allele (ILE843SER)) and which is associated with neurological disease. By “associated” is meant associated with an altered risk of disease incidence, drug efficacy, or disease prognosis. Variant GPIIb alleles not specifically described to be associated with neurological disease herein can be tested for association using the techniques provided herein and those known in the art. Specifically excluded are GPIIIa variants that have an A>C mutation at nucleotide base 1159, and A>G mutation at nucleotide base 1549, or a G>C mutation at nucleotide base 1161.

[0030] By “risk factor associated with a disease” is meant any risk factor for a disease known in the art. Examples of risk factors commonly associated with diseases include age, gender, diet, exercise, weight, the presence of another disease, and the occurrence of a specific genotype. Risk factors associated with a neurological disease in particular may include advanced age, lower intelligence, smaller head size, history of head trauma, mutations on chromosomes 1, 14, and 21, or the presence of a variant GPIIIa and/or variant GPIIb allele (see e.g., Cummings et al., Neurology (1 Supp.1):S2-S17, 1998).

[0031] By “subject at risk for a neurological disease” is meant a subject identified or diagnosed as having a neurological disease or having a genetic predisposition or risk for acquiring a neurological disease using the methods of the invention and techniques available to those skilled in the art.

[0032] By “wild-type” is meant any allele, or polypeptide encoded by such an allele, that is present in that part of the population considered free of disease.

[0033] By “PCR, RT-PCR, or ligase chain reaction amplification” is meant subjecting a DNA sample to a Polymerase Chain Reaction step or ligase-mediated chain reaction step, or RNA to a RT-PCR step, such that, in the presence of appropriately designed primers, a nucleic acid fragment is synthesized or fails to be synthesized, thereby revealing the allele status of a patient. The nucleic acid may be further analyzed by DNA sequencing using techniques known in the art.

[0034] The present invention provides a number of advantages. For example, the methods described herein allow for a determination of a subject's GPIIIa and/or GPIIb genotype for the timely administration of a prophylactic therapy for the treatment of a neurological disease.

[0035] Other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description and from the claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0036] The drawings will first be described.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0037]FIG. 1 is a depiction of the cDNA sequence encoding the wild type human GPIIIa polypeptide (SEQ ID NO: 1).

[0038]FIG. 2 is a depiction of the cDNA sequence encoding the variant human GPIIIa polypeptide (SEQ ID NO: 2) which has a nucleotide point mutation at base 192. The T to C point mutation creates a new Msp I restriction site (underlined) and results in a codon that encodes a proline at position 33 (indicated in bold and offset by spaces).

[0039]FIG. 3 is a depiction of the amino acid sequence of the wild type human GPIIIa polypeptide (SEQ ID NO: 3). The 26 amino acid signal sequence is underlined and the wild type leucine residue at position 33 is indicated in bold.

[0040]FIG. 4 is a depiction of the amino acid sequence of the human GPIIIa polypeptide (SEQ ID NO: 4) with a single amino acid residue change, from an leucine (L) to a proline (P) at position 33, indicated in bold. The 26 amino acid signal sequence is underlined.

[0041]FIG. 5 is a depiction of the cDNA sequence encoding the wild-type human GPIIb polypeptide (SEQ ID NO: 5). The codon encoding the wild-type isoleucine residue at position 843 is indicated in bold.

[0042]FIG. 6 represents the cDNA sequence encoding the variant human glycoprotein IIb polypeptide (SEQ ID NO: 6) which has a point mutation (T to G) at nucleotide base 2622. The point mutation creates a new Hae II restriction site (underlined) and a codon (indicated in bold and offset by spaces) that encodes a serine at position 843.

[0043]FIG. 7 shows the amino acid sequence of the wild-type human glycoprotein IIb polypeptide (SEQ ID NO: 7). The wild-type isoleucine residue at position 843 is indicated in bold.

[0044]FIG. 8 shows the amino acid sequence of the variant human glycoprotein IIb polypeptide (SEQ ID NO: 8). The single amino acid residue change, from an isoleucine (I) to a serine (S) at position 843, is indicated in bold.

[0045] The invention described herein features methods for treating or identifying a subject at risk for a neurological disease, such as Alzheimer's disease (AD), by determining the presence of a variant GPIIIa or variant GPIIb allele. The invention also provides a method for forecasting patient outcome and the suitability of the patient for entering a clinical drug trial for the testing of a therapy for a neurological disease.

[0046] Normally, these alleles encode glycoproteins IIIa and IIb of the GPIIIa/GPIIb complex that belongs to a class of multi-subunit integrin receptors that bind cell adhesion molecules. These receptors are composed of alpha and beta subunits referred to, counter intuitively, as GPIIb and GPIIIa, respectively. Together, the GPIIIa beta and GPIIb alpha subunits form part of the platelet complex receptor, fibronectin receptor, and vitronectin receptor, and play a role in clotting. As expected, these polypeptides are expressed in platelets and endothelial cells (Hynes et al., Cell 48: 549-554 (1987)).

[0047] We have discovered that GPIIb and GPIIIa alleles are associated with the occurrence of neurological disease. For example, the presence of a particular variant GPIIIa allele that results in a single amino acid change from a leucine to a proline at residue 33 (LEU33PRO) indicates, with a high probability, that a subject is at risk for a neurological disease such as Alzheimer's disease (AD). In addition, we have also observed that the presence of a variant GPIIb allele (ILE843SER) indicates, with a similar probability, that a subject may be at risk for acquiring a neurological disease, such as AD. Importantly, these genes may act in synergy and when used together as a prognostic tool, predict, with even greater probability, a subject's risk for a neurological disease, such as AD.

[0048] One of the advantages of the invention is that a subject at risk for a neurological disease may be identified and, if appropriate, administered therapeutics without waiting for debilitating symptoms of them required for definitive diagnosis to occur. Initially, treatment of a subject having a variant allele described herein may involve monitoring of the subject for other risk factors and/or symptoms. Alternatively, a subject at high risk for a neurological disease may be treated prophylactically, with therapies known in the art, in order to delay, inhibit, or prevent the onset of disease. In one approach, the presence of a variant GPIIIa and/or variant GPIIb allele is rapidly determined using a sensitive PCR assay and, alone or in combination with a determination of other risk factors associated with a neurological disease, this determination is used to determine if a prophylactic treatment therapy should be invoked.

[0049] The prediction of drug efficacy may involve cholinomimetic therapies, for example, tacrine, or non-cholinomimetic therapies, for example, a vasopressinergic drug. The invention provides a treatment protocol that utilizes one of the following therapies for a neurological disease: probucol, a monoamine oxidase inhibitor, muscarinic agonist, neurotrophic factor, noradrenergic factor, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, corticotrophin-releasing hormone (CRH), somatostatin, substance P, neuropeptide Y, or thyrotrophin-releasing hormone (TRH).

[0050] The findings described herein indicate the predictive value of a variant GPIIIa and/or variant GPIIb allele in treating patients at risk for a neurological disease, such as Alzheimer's disease (AD). In addition, because the underlying mechanism influenced by the variant GPIIIa and/or variant GPIIb allele status is not disease-specific, the GPIIIa and/or GPIIb allele-status is suitable for making patient predictions for non-AD neurological diseases as well.

[0051] The following examples, which describe preferred techniques and experimental results, are provided for the purpose of illustrating the invention, and should not be construed as limiting.

EXAMPLE 1

[0052] Methods for Determining the Presence of a Variant GPIIIa Allele or Variant GPIIb Allele

[0053] We have found that both the variant GPIIIa allele and GPIIb allele have strong predictive value for identifying a subject at risk for a neurological disease (e.g., Alzheimer's disease). This predictive value is even stronger when these variant alleles in both genes occur together in a given subject. To demonstrate the effectiveness of the variant GPIIIa and/or variant GPIIb allele for identifying subjects with such a disease risk, we determined the allele frequency of either variant allele in a large number of subjects diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease (N=136) as compared to age-matched healthy controls (N=70).

[0054] GPIIIa Genotyping

[0055] We genotyped each of the above patients for the presence of a variant GPIIIa allele using the polymerase chain reaction method (PCR). In particular, genotyping was carried out by subjecting nucleic acid samples encoding the GPIIIa gene to a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification step followed by another round of PCR amplification using a nested PCR protocol. The first round of PCR amplification was conducted using outside primers P1A2-4 (5′-AGA CTT CCT CCT CAG ACC TCC ACC T-3′ (SEQ ID NO:9)) and P1A2-5 (5′-TAA ACT CTT AGC TAT TGG GAA GTG GTA-3′ (SEQ ID NO:10))

[0056] and using reaction conditions that included a heating step at 90° C. for 1 min., followed by another heating step at 95° C. for 1 min., followed by 45 cycles of 94° C. for 25 sec., 45° C. for 55 sec., 72° C. for 45 sec., and a final extension step at 72° C. for 3 min. Next, a 1 μl aliquot of the first PCR reaction was used for conducting the subsequent nested PCR reaction under the same conditions except that the amplification step performed at 45° C. was changed to 48° C. and the oligonucleotides P1A2-1 (5′-TTC TGA TTG CTG GAC TTC TCT T-3′ (SEQ ID NO:11)) and P1A2-2 (5′-TCT CTC CCC ATG GCA AAG AGT-3′ (SEQ ID NO:12))

[0057] were used.

[0058] When amplified GPIIIa DNA isolated from the subjects described above was analyzed, we observed a C nucleotide at base position 192 only in nucleic acids encoded by the variant GPIIIa allele (or PlA2 form) and this created a new Msp I restriction site (see FIGS. 1 and 2). Subsequent restriction enzyme analysis of nucleic acids generated by PCR showed that Msp I digestion permitted clear discrimination between the type (PlA1) and mutant form (PlA2) of GPIIIa and individuals could thus be genotyped.

[0059] Specifically, a 5 μl aliquot of the resultant amplified PCR reaction product was digested with 5 units of the restriction enzyme Msp I and the resultant DNA products were analyzed using agarose gel electrophoresis and visualized by ethidium bromide staining. Another Msp I site, common to both wild-type and variant GPIIIa alleles, was used as an internal control to insure the completion of Msp I digestion. Using this protocol, three banding patterns were observed based on whether the subject was homozygous wild-type (T/T), heterozygous mutant (C/T), or homozygous mutant (C/C) for the variant GPIIIa allele (LEU33PRO). The banding pattern for the homozygous wild-type consisted of two DNA fragments of 222 bp and 38 bp in length. The banding pattern for the homozygous mutant genotype consisted of three fragments of 175 bp, 49 bp, and 38 bp in length. Accordingly, the banding pattern for the heterozygous mutant genotype consisted of four fragments of 224 bp, 175 bp, 49 bp, and 38 bp in length. A GPIIIa genotype (LEU33PRO) was determined for each subject in the study and analyzed for its predictive value (Examples 2 and 3).

[0060] GPIIb Genotyping

[0061] Each of the above the samples from the patients described above were genotyped for the presence of a variant GPIIb allele using the conditions above with the following modifications. Genotyping was carried out using the same PCR conditions above except that primers A (5′-CTG TCA ACC CTC TCA AGG TAA (SEQ ID NO:13)) and B (5′-GCC GGG TGA ATG GGG GAG GGG CTG GCG (SEQ ID NO:14))

[0062] were used.

[0063] Following the PCR amplification reaction, DNA products were digested with the restriction enzyme Hae II (according to the manufacturer) and resultant products were resolved using 3% Nusieve™ gel electrophoresis followed by ethidium bromide staining. As the variant GPIIb nucleic acid encodes an additional Hae II site, distinctive banding patterns were observed based on whether the subject was wild-type (T/T; 180 bp only), heterozygous mutant (C/T; 180, 155, and 25 bp), or homozygous mutant (C/C; 155 and 25 bp) for the GPIIb allele (ILE843SER).

[0064] GPIIIa and GPIIB Phenotyping

[0065] For either the GPIIIa (LEU33PRO) or GPIIb (ILE843SER) gene product, detection of the variant polypeptide may be performed (and a genotype thus inferred) using variant polypeptide specific antibodies as described in the art (see, e.g., Weiss et al., Tissue Antigens 46:374-381 (1995); Lyman et al., Blood 75:2343-2348 (1990)).

[0066] In addition to the above-mentioned methods, the methods provided in U.S. Pat. No. 5,935,781 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,022,683; any of the pending applications (Ser. Nos. US97/22699; 09/160,462; 08/991,850; 09/334,489; 09/616,506) and following references (Brindle N. et al., Hum. Mol. Genet. 7:933-935 (1998); Singleton et al., Hum Mol Genet 7:937-939 (1998); Lehmann et al., Hum. Mol. Genet. 6:1933-1936 (1997); Richard et al., Lancet 349:539 (1997); and Gustincich S, et al., Biotechniques 11(3):298-300 (1998)) may also be used.

EXAMPLE 2

[0067] Use of the Variant GPIIIa Allele in Determining a Subjects's Risk for Alzheimer's Disease

[0068] We have discovered that the presence of a variant GPIIIa allele (LEU33PRO) contributes an individual's risk for the development of Alzheimer's disease. To reach this conclusion, we compiled the GPIIIa genotypes for 135 Alzheimer's disease subjects and 69 age-matched healthy controls (Table 1) and analyzed the distribution of variant GPIIIa alleles in control subjects versus subjects with disease. As shown in Table 1, a significant number of subjects diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease had at least one mutant GPIIIa allele. TABLE 1 GPIIIa Nucleotide Dimorphism in Controls vs. Subjects with Alzheimer's Disease (AD) C/C C/T T/T Genotype (homozygous mt) (heterozygous mt) (wild-type) Control 1 13 55 AD 2 46 87

[0069] In Table 2 we present the total number of subjects having at least one variant GPIIIa allele as a function of the subject's disease status. This data shows that the occurrence of a variant GPIIIa allele in a subject with Alzheimer's disease is more than twice as high as in age-matched healthy controls (the odds ratio (O.R.) is 2.17). The Yates value calculated for this data set indicates that this distribution occurring by chance alone is remote (4%). These data predict a strong correlation between the presence of the variant GPIIIa allele and the occurrence of Alzheimer's disease in a given subject. TABLE 2 Chi Square for GPIIIa Allelic Frequency in Controls vs. Subjects with Alzheimer's Disease (AD) AD Control C/C or C/T (Mutant 48 14 Genotypes) T/T (Wild-Type 87 55 Genotype)

[0070] In Table 3 the data is shown as the total number of mutant alleles (a C at base position 192) versus wild-type alleles (a T at position 192) occurring in subjects of each health group (i.e., control vs. AD). Stated in another way, each mutant allele is counted and a frequency of occurrence (ranging from 0-1.0) is calculated for the likely appearance of this allele in either a healthy subject or a subject with Alzheimer's disease. A percent occurrence is obtained by multiplying the frequency factor by 100. Thus, the frequency of the variant GPIIIa allele occurring in subjects diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease was 18.5% (0.185×100) as compared to only 11% in healthy age-matched controls. TABLE 3 Variant GPIIIa Allele Frequency in Controls vs. Subjects with Alzheimer's Disease (AD) C (Mutant Alleles) T (Wild-Type Alleles) Control 0.11 (15/138) 0.89 (123/138) AD 0.185 (50/270) 0.815 (220/270)

[0071] Finally, as shown in Tables 4-9, we examined a number of silent mutations (i.e., a wild-type protein is encoded from a mutated nucleic acid) found within the coding region of the GPIIIa gene and found no correlation (the odds ratios are all around 1) between AD and the presence of these mutations. These studies indicate that it is likely that the GPIIIa polypeptide, and not the nucleic acid, plays a possible role in AD. Accordingly, nucleic acid changes that result in amino acid alterations are more likely to be predictive of neurological disease or a predisposition to neurological disease. TABLE 4 Val 381 Val Silent Mutation (A-C at base 1159) Genotype of Normal Subjects vs. Patients with AD AA AC CC wild-type heterozygous mt homozygous mt Alzheimer's 51 62 23 cases Control 26 35  9

[0072] TABLE 5 Odds Ratio and Chi-Square Analysis of the Val 381 Val Silent Mutation Occurring in Patients with AD as Compared to Controls AD Control CX 85 44 AA 51 26

[0073] TABLE 6 Glu 511 Glu Silent Mutation (A-G at base 1549) Genotype of Normal Subjects vs. Patients with AD AG AA heterozygous GG wild-type mutant homozygous mt Alzheimer's 0 36 33 cases Control 0 66 69

[0074] TABLE 7 Odds Ratio and Chi-Square Analysis of the Glu 511 Glu Silent Mutation Occurring in Patients with AD as Compared to Controls AD Control CX 66 36 AA 69 33

[0075] TABLE 8 Arg 515 Arg Silent Mutation (G-C at base 1161) Genotype of Normal Subjects vs. Patients with AD AA AG GG wild-type heterozygous mt homozygous mt Alzheimer's  5 28 34 cases Control 19 50 64

[0076] TABLE 9 Odds Ratio and Chi-Square Analysis of the Arg 515 Arg Silent Mutation Occurring in Patients with AD as Compared to Controls AD Control CX 69 33 AA 64 34

EXAMPLE 3

[0077] Use of the Variant GPIIb Allele Alone and in Combination with the Variant GPIIIa Allele in Determining a Subject's Risk for Alzheimer's Disease

[0078] Using the techniques presented in Example 1, we determined the GPIIb genotype of patients with AD and normal control subjects (Table 10). TABLE 10 Variant GPIIb Genotype in Normal Subjects vs. Patients with AD GT GG (heterozygous TT Genotype (homozygous mt.) mt.) (wild-type) Alzheimer's 15 71 50 Cases Control  8 28 34

[0079] We observed that a significant number of subjects with AD had at least one mutant GPIIb allele. A chi-square and odds ratio analysis was performed on this data set (Table 11). A significative increase in the odds ratio (p value of 0.10) was seen in patients with AD as compared to age-matched healthy control subjects. This supports the notion that the GPIIb gene may be involved in the development of neurological disease such as AD. TABLE 1 Odds Ratio and Chi-Square Analysis of the GPllb Allele Occurring in Normal Subjects vs. Patients with AD CX versus TT Genotypes Alzheimer's Cases Control GX (mutant genotypes) 86 36 TT(wild-type) 50 34

[0080] Given these findings we decided to explore the possibility that the predictive value of the variant GPIIIa allele and the variant GPIIb allele could be used together in predicting a neurological disease risk. The occurrence of these alleles appearing individually or together in normal subjects versus patients with AD is presented below (Table 12). TABLE 12 GPIIIa (Leu33Pro)/GPIIb (IIe843Ser) Genotypes in Normal Subjects vs. Patients with AD GPIIIa (L33P) GPIIb (I843S) Control AD O.R. P value − − 27 34 Ref — − + 29 53 1.45 0.28 + −  7 16 1.82 0.25 + +  7 33 3.74 0.005

[0081] Importantly, we found that in addition to the GPIIIa or GPIIb variant alleles being present at high levels in patients with AD (with an odds ratio of 1.82 and 1.45, respectively), together these alleles were present at an even higher level (with an odds ratio of 3.74). Stated another way, patients with AD are almost 4-fold more likely to have mutations in both the GPIIIa and GPIIb allele than normal control subjects. Thus, we have determined that there is an added predictive value or synergy in using both of these alleles when evaluating a subject for a neurological disease risk.

EXAMPLE 4

[0082] Use of the Variant GPIIIa and GPIIb Alleles for Prognosis in Alzheimer's Disease

[0083] We believe that the method of the invention can be used as a powerful prognostic tool for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease. For example, subjects can be tested at an early asymptomatic age for the presence of a variant GPIIIa and/or GPIIb allele and administered an appropriate prophylactic therapy. Initially, for asymptomatic subjects, this may involve a characterization of other risk factors associated with Alzheimer's disease, avoidance of environmental risk factors, and/or close monitoring. Accordingly, a subject may be characterized as a candidate for prophylactic therapies that can delay, inhibit, or prevent degenerative neurological symptoms. Further, either alone or in combination with other health data, the variant GPIIIa and GPIIb alleles can be used to predict a subject's outcome by comparing the subjects GPIIIa and GPIIb genotypes (and other health data) to a patient database containing the GPIIIa and GPIIb genotypes (and other health data) of similarly afflicted subjects. Based on this database comparison, a subject's likely outcome, i.e., progression of disease, cure rate, response to therapy, morbidity and mortality, can be statistically assessed.

[0084] Thus, our results demonstrate that the presence of the variant GPIIIa and/or GPIIb alleles can afford subjects at risk for a neurological disease (e.g., Alzheimer's disease) the ability to start prophylactic therapies before disease strikes. Ideally, the risk of Alzheimer's disease is calculated for all individuals when they are asymptomatic, young adults and well before the onset of measurable symptoms. Then preventive therapies are invoked, as the individual ages, in order to stop or lessen the progression of Alzheimer's disease later in life.

Other Embodiments

[0085] The invention described herein provides a method for treating subjects with a neurological disease risk by determining a subject's GPIIIa and/or GPIIb genotype and providing an appropriate therapy based on that determination. We believe that the predictive value of these alleles may also include other variant GPIIIa or GPIIb alleles associated with a neurological disease (e.g., Alzheimer's disease) and this may be readily determined using the methods of the invention. For example, any other variant GPIIIa allele may be detected using the methods described in Example 1. Known polymorphisms in GPIIIa that may be determined to be variants using the methods of the invention are: GPIIIa (ARG62Term), GPIIIa (LEU117TRP), GPIIIa (ASP119TYR), GPIIIa (SER162LEU), GPIIIa (ARG214GLN), GPIIIa (ARG214TRP), GPIIIa (CYS374TYR), GPIIIa (PRO407ALA), GPIIIa (ARG636CYS), and GPIIIA (SER752PRO). Using the guidance provided in Example 2, one can calculate the allelic frequency of the variant GPIIIa allele/s in patients diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease, as compared to healthy control subjects, and determine if the particular variant GPIIIa allele is over represented in patients with disease. Likewise, known polymorphisms in GPIIb may also be exploited, alone, or in combination with the above GPIIIa mutations. GPIIb variants which may be tested are: GPIIb (LEU183PRO), GPIIb (GLY242ASP), GPIIb (PHE289SER), GPIIb (GLU324LYS), GPIIb (ARG327HIS), GPIIb (GLY418ASP), GPIIb (ARG553TERM), GPIIb (ILE565THR), GPIIb (GLN747PRO), and GPIIb (SER870TERM). Furthermore, the predictive value of these alleles can then be assessed and, if appropriate, used alone or in combination with other risk factors for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease.

[0086] In addition, while the methods described herein are preferably used for the treatment of human subjects. Non-human animals (e.g., pets and livestock) may also be treated using the methods of the invention.

[0087] All publications and patent applications mentioned in this specification are herein incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each independent publication or patent application was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference.

[0088] Other embodiments are within the claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for identifying a subject at risk for a non-Alzheimer's neurological disease consisting of Huntington's disease, Parkinson's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, neurofibromatosis, depression, multiple sclerosis, stroke, and multi-infarct dementia, comprising determining the genotype at nucleotide 192 of the GPIIIa gene of SEQ ID NO.: 2, wherein the gene encodes a polypeptide with a proline at amino acid position 33 of SEQ ID NO.: 4, and/or at nucleotide 2622 of GPIIb of gene of SEQ ID NO.: 6, wherein the gene encodes a polypeptide with a serine at amino acid position 843 of SEQ ID NO.: 8, of said subject, wherein said genotype is indicative of said subject having an increased risk for said non-Alzheimer's neurological disease.
 2. A method for diagnosing a subject with a non-Alzheimer's neurological disease consisting of Huntington's disease, Parkinson's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, neurofibromatosis, depression, multiple sclerosis, stroke, and multi-infarct dementia, comprising determining the genotype at nucleotide 192 of the GPIIIa gene of SEQ ID NO.: 2, wherein the gene encodes a polypeptide with a proline at amino acid position 33 of SEQ ID NO.: 4, and/or at nucleotide 2622 of the GPIIb gene of SEQ ID NO.: 6, wherein the gene encodes a polypeptide with a serine at amino acid position 843 of SEQ ID NO.: 8, of said subject, wherein said genotype is indicative of said subject having said non-Alzheimer's neurological disease.
 3. A method for characterizing the genotype of at least one subject involved in a clinical trial of a therapy for the treatment of a non-Alzheimer's neurological disease consisting of Huntington's disease, Parkinson's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, neurofibromatosis, depression, multiple sclerosis, stroke, and multi-infarct dementia, comprising determining the genotype at nucleotide 192 of the GPIIIa gene of SEQ ID NO.: 2, wherein the gene encodes a polypeptide with a proline at amino acid position 33 of SEQ ID NO.: 4, and/or at nucleotide 2622 of the GPIIb gene of SEQ ID NO.: 6, wherein the gene encodes a polypeptide with a serine at amino acid position 843 of SEQ ID NO.: 8, of said subject.
 4. The method of claim 1, 2, or 3, wherein said method comprises determining said genotype at nucleotide 192 of the GPIIIa gene and at nucleotide 2622 of the GPIIb gene of said subject and said genotype places said subject into a subgroup for said clinical trial.
 5. The method of claim 1, 2, or 3, wherein said determining is performed using a nucleic acid molecule that specifically binds a GPIIIa nucleic acid molecule.
 6. The method of claim 1, 2, or 3, wherein said determining is performed using a nucleic acid molecule that specifically binds a GPIIb nucleic acid molecule.
 7. The method of claim 1, 2, or 3, wherein said genotype is T/C at nucleotide 192 of SEQ ID NO:2.
 8. The method of claim 1, 2, or 3, wherein said genotype is T/G at nucleotide 2622 of SEQ ID NO:
 6. 9. The method of claim 1, 2, or 3, wherein said GPIIIa gene encodes a polypeptide with a proline at amino acid position 33 of SEQ ID NO:
 4. 10. The method of claim 1, 2, or 3, wherein said GPIIb gene encodes a polypeptide with a serine at amino acid position 843 of SEQ ID NO:
 8. 11. The method of claim 3, wherein said genotype is indicative of the efficacy or therapeutic benefits of said therapy.
 12. The method of claim 1, 2, or 3, wherein said determining the genotype at nucleotide 192 of the GPIIIa gene comprises performing restriction enzyme digestion of an amplified product of a GPIIIa nucleic acid molecule using the enzyme MspI.
 13. The method of claim 12, wherein said amplified product is a polymerase chain reaction product and said GPIIIa nucleic acid molecule is a GPIIIa gene or a GPIIIa cDNA.
 14. The method of claim 1, 2, or 3, wherein said determining the genotype at nucleotide 2622 of the GPIIb gene comprises performing restriction enzyme digestion of an amplified product of a GPIIb nucleic acid molecule using the enzyme HaeII.
 15. The method of claim 14, wherein said amplified product is a polymerase chain reaction product and said GPIIb nucleic acid molecule is a GPIIb gene or a GPIIb cDNA. 